Three Taiwanese killed, one hurt in Japan car crash

By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA

Sat, Nov 24, 2012 - Page 4

A Taiwanese family visiting Hokkaido in northern Japan was involved in a car accident while driving near Tsurui Village, leaving three dead and one injured, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Ministry spokesman Steve Hsia (夏季昌) said that according to information provided by the Japanese police, the family, surnamed Hung (洪), had been driving a rental car which hit a truck in a head-on collision at about 11:15am.

According to a press report, the tourists were probably on their way to Tsurui from Kushiro in eastern Hokkaido when their car crossed the road’s dividing line into the path of the oncoming truck, according to skidmarks visible on the snow-covered road.

Hsia said Japanese police were investigating the issue.

“We are trying to establish contact with other family members of the Hung family,” Hsia said, adding that the ministry would give the family members their support should they decide to go to Japan.